First time ever writing Jopper, but I have loved...ok, I have been OBSESSED with them since the very first episode of Stranger Things, and have thought about writing for this fandom many times. Season 4 Volume 1 is freaking amazing though, and their reunion had me ugly crying.

In saying that, I totally hope we get something more than a hug in Volume 2. They have suffered so much. WE have suffered so much! We ALL deserve this!

So anyway, I had to write a little something to follow on from Chapter 7 - scenes from which I have watched constantly, pretty much on repeat since first viewing them...

Threw this little thing together in a couple of hours. It may be a little rushed in parts but my emotions are all over the place and I already cannot handle how far away July 1st is!

In any case, I hope you enjoy "Something more than safe".

Peace and love,
Renee.

...

He stares, just stares in disbelief. He just fought the demogorgon and he's not yet sure it didn't kill him because he's got to be in heaven. The woman in front of him, an angel.

But then she's grabbing him, hugging him with all her might and he's shocked to learn that she's real, that she's here. She really came for him.

He's stunned, overcome with emotion. Frozen in shock as she squeezes the life out of him and cries on his shoulder. She pulls back to tell him that it's going to be OK now, that she's here - and it's not until then that he actually believes it.

She pulls him back into her arms for another tight hug and he feels his heart fill up with joy and with love. The muscles of his face he uses to smile are out of practice, yet it comes so easily to his face as she tucks her forehead under his chin and he breathes her in, wrapping his own arms around her finally. Finally.

They hold each other for more than a little while and eventually Murray and Dimitri sidestep the embracing pair to introduce themselves.

The sound of the other men's voices yanks Hopper back to reality. He pulls back slightly from Joyce and finally comes to the realization that the woman in front of him has risked her life to save his, putting herself in untold danger. "What the hell are you doing here, Joy?" He asks, upset but mostly amazed.

"I had to come, Hop. I had a chance to save you, to bring you home. I had to take that chance, no matter what happened."

Fresh tears sting her eyes, resounding fear striking her heart - even though she knows it's over. "God Jim, I thought you were dead."

"So did I", he replies gravely, then shakes his head in awe. "And then you showed up."

They share a look of deep intensity, gratitude and longing.

"Ah, despite the warmth I know we're all feeling off of this beautiful reunion, I am literally freezing my balls off here, so do you think you could continue this little love fest once we're inside a proper building? Hopefully one with heating", Murray interjects, effectively ending the couple's moment.

Neither one of them care to correct his statement about it being a love fest. They've both had enough time to accept that that's exactly the way they feel about each other.

The four of them make their way out of the stone fortress and get in the van. Murray and Dimitri in front, Joyce and Hopper in back, still clutching onto each other.

They drive for hours before they finally find a little lodge.

Murray stretches his neck, arms and fingers dramatically before turning to the others."So…four singles?" He asks the group, a wry little grin on his face, already sure of the answer he's going to get.

"Two singles, one double", Joyce gives him the reply he expects. She looks up at Hopper and squeezes his hand. "I'm not letting you out of my sight. Not tonight at least."

She deliberately ignores the look on Murray's face as he exits the van and walks away in search of the reception.

It isn't until they settle into their room that Joyce begins to learn the full extent of what has happened to Hopper. The scars on his body paint a frighteningly clear picture of his suffering.

She's brought him some clothes which are miles too big for him but he doesn't care. He groans in agony as she helps peel his frozen garments off of him. She gasps in shock when she sees the damage to his ankles. "Jesus, Hop. You need a doctor."

"It's OK, Joyce. It's better than it was before actually." He immediately regrets saying that due to the look of terror it puts on her face.

In order to make her feel better, he adds, "All I really need right now is sleep…and you", he tells her softly. It's so completely out of character for him to speak so earnestly and Joyce's eyes widen in surprise at his words.

"Well, you can have both tonight", she assures him with a shy smile.

She helps him redress into his clean clothes before pulling the covers back on the double bed and helping him down onto it. Hopper moans deeply as his body sinks into the mattress. It isn't the world's most comfortable bed but it's a trillion times more luxurious than anything he's slept on for a very long time.

Joyce climbs in carefully next to him and instantly presses herself up against his side, cautious of his injuries but seeking as much warmth as she can get for her tiny, shivering body.

She can feel how rigid he still is. She knows he's still struggling to let his body relax, to allow himself to drop his guard. The pain and suffering, the months of endless torment are so evident in him.

Joyce rolls over to face him and presses her lips gently to his shoulder. "It's OK, Jim. You're safe now."

He lets out a languid sigh, brushing his fingers lightly over her arm. "I know." A humorless puff of air escapes his nose. "Don't you think that after all the shit we've been through it'd be nice to feel something more than safe?"

She gazes at him intently, unsure what he means exactly but urging him to go on.

"I wanna be happy, Joyce, and I want to make you happy", he tells her with complete sincerity.

Her eyes fill with tears, her expression filled with love as she croaks, "I wanna make you happy too, Hop."

He pulls her into him and she comes willingly and swiftly, opening her mouth to his eagerly, claiming his breath as her own and allowing him to take hers in return.

She whimpers against his lips, delighting in his kiss while also despairing for the time they've lost. The time they'd never be able to reclaim.

His tongue meets hers and makes the regret melt away. She pushes herself into him harder, only to pull back in concern when he cries out against her mouth. "Wh-what's wrong?" She asks him in panic.

"My ribs are kinda cracked", he winces reluctantly, not wanting her to stop, despite the pain.

"God, Hopper!", she squeaks in horror, immediately shuffling away from him.

He groans in disappointment. "Nooo. Don't stop. We gotta make up for lost time. I should'a been kissing you like this months ago - years ago."

Joyce shakes her head, presses a tender hand to his hollowed cheek. "I hate the hell you've been through. It makes me so damn angry and upset that you've been treated the way you have. But as far as you and I go, I don't have any regrets, honey. I can't have any regrets. Don't you know how fucking blessed I feel?"

Hopper can't help the snort that comes out of his nose at her wording.

"Think about it, Hop. Things that should be absolutely god-damned impossible have somehow become possible for me. I got my son back from the dead. I got the man I love back from the dead…"

Hopper's eyes bulge at her words. "Joyce…Are you…do you mean me?" He's in total disbelief.

She laughs in disbelief herself, at his surprise. "Of course I mean you! What, do you think I remortgaged my house, flew in a dodgy little plane, trudged through the freezing snow, put my life on the line for a guy I like just as a friend?"

He's laughing before she even finishes her question. A full, hearty, delirious laugh. Partly because he'd had no idea she'd done most of those things, but mostly he's laughing with complete and utter joy, because…

"I love you too, Joy. God, I love you so much!" The confession leaves him tearfully, though there's a smile from ear to ear on his face.

She grins back equally as wide. "Well, there you go. That's one less thing we have to regret", she says emotionally.

He pays no heed to her warning, pulling her roughly back into his arms and crushing his lips to hers.

And he believes it now, what she'd told him just a few moments ago. Although he never would've said it or even thought it only a few hours before.

They are so fucking blessed.